Kate Takes Care Of Business (3 page)

“Then . . . you could have more than a lake.” He made a sweeping gesture toward the water. “You could have an ocean with a castle on the beach if you married Sterling Hallman.” His lips twisted into a cynical smile

I don’t believe this.
He says he wants a second chance but he keeps asking me about Sterling?
Puzzled and more than a little agitated by Reid’s interest in the Hallman family, Kate pushed her plate of chicken salad away. “I don’t
need
to marry a man for his money. In fact, unless I was destitute and starving that’s the last reason I would marry at all.”

Reid shrugged. “It would make sense though, wouldn’t it? Maybe your father and Sterling’s would find some compromise then for the sake of the company . . . and the marriage of their only children.”

“Is this really what you wanted to talk to me about?” A cynical inner voice cut through her thoughts.
Dad was right.
She pressed both hands over her eyes as if they had been burned with too much brightness from the sun.

Kate pushed her chair back from the table. “If Sterling and I
do
get married, it won’t be a mercenary, corporate takeover for the sake of each family’s profit. We grew up together and our mothers were best friends, before—” Kate turned away and shivered as she remembered the last time she saw her mother alive.

“I’m sorry.” Reid held his head high with pride. “But I’m just trying to understand where I fit into the big picture. I can’t hope to compete with a spoiled rich kid like Sterling Hallman and I don’t want to end being the fool if I try.”

The finality in his voice only made her feel colder inside. Yes, she was angry with him but she could understand how the wealthy people she took for granted everyday might be a threat to the confidence of someone not used to living in her world. Reid was only being honest about how he felt and that was something she valued in a man.

The sun was almost gone for the day and Sterling would be arriving soon expecting to take Kate and her dad to dinner. “It’s getting late.” She checked her cell for the time and messages. She gasped in frustration.
Shit! You bastard.
Sterling’s clock ran on Sterling time. He wasn’t going to make it for dinner after all.
Likely got up late with bigger hangover than you expected, didn’t you?

Reid leaned across the table. “What’s the matter?”

“My friend won’t be arriving for dinner.”

“Let me guess. Sterling Hallman?”

Kate rose and brushed back her hair. “I have to get back to the hotel.”

“You need a break from hotels and stockholders. How about I take you out somewhere different instead?” He held out his hand.

“Where?”

“Maxwell’s. Been there before?”

“Wow, I mean no but I didn’t think you were the hipster type.”

“Maybe not but it’s closing soon. It’s one of the last great places to really kick back unless you’ve got something against the Lower East Side.” The lively twinkle in his eye only excited her more. “And don’t you feel like doing
just that
, my dear Miss Winslow?”

Kate glanced away, feeling the onset of another blush attack.
Oh my, yes, and much more than that if this keeps up, Mr. Griffin.

Reid took a deep breath. “We could also meet a couple of my friends if that’s okay?”

“Anyone you should warn me about?”

“No, just fellow scribes from the trenches. Ever read Liz Presley’s blog?”

“Any relation to Elvis?”

Reid laughed. “C’mon. You’d like her if you met her and . . . Liz
always
as a date so no awkward third wheel scenario, promise.”

Kate smiled with twisted lips. She doubted very much that she would like Liz Presley, earnest hardworking girl that she might be. Still quietly fuming over being stood up by Sterling and torn between attraction and suspicion, Kate couldn’t help but say something a little snarky. “After reading some of your columns and blogs I’m surprised your friends still speak to you.”

The corner of Reid’s mouth pulled into a slight smile. “Me too. I guess that’s why they’re so important to me.” His seductive eyes and disarming smile rekindled the feeling Kate had when they’d first met. “And we all need our friends to help us through, don’t we?”

Desire rose again inside Kate, something she had not felt since their romantic carriage ride, and now she was not sure how she would handle something and
someone
who made her shiver with delicious anticipation like this.

A dreamy concerto drifted out from the patio speakers, quickening her emotions, awakening longings that had been touched by loneliness and regret. She moved a little closer to Reid and his arms closed around her.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, “bright and beautiful. I can’t stop thinking about you, Kate.” Reid’s mouth found hers and his lean, strong arms pulled her to him. This time it was no fleeting butterfly kiss. His lips demanded more and Kate answered.

Her arms went around his neck and her body strained against his. She felt his firm yearning through his thin khakis and, conscious only of her pure, unashamed longing for him, pressed herself harder against his hungry body.
What are you doing to me, Reid Griffin?
We’re so different but none of that matters when I’m with you.

Kate drew away a little and looked at him. Were her eyes filled with the same surprise and wonder too? She hesitated for a moment, then, without fully understanding why, took his warm hand and walked away together.

CHAPTER FIVE

Maxwell’s was everything Kate imagined it would be and then some. The funky dive-bar vibe and décor were cool but she didn’t expect it to be almost completely packed with smoking hipsters and wannabe artists. The music was just a few decibels short of loud but at least the DJ was playing a decent song she liked.

Kate and Reid edged their way through the crowd. “Hope you don’t mind,” Reid said, without much apology. “I should have mentioned it’s one of the few places you can still smoke in the city.”

Now he tells me?
Kate frowned.
We could have went out for dinner near his place then if things worked out . . .
She stopped her erotic mind from wandering. “I didn’t know you smoked.”

“I don’t . . .
really.
The occasional one with a beer, that’s all. There’s a patio out back if it gets too much for you.”

Feeling self-conscious and out of place, Kate wondered if this had been a good idea to meet Reid’s friends. Well, they weren’t blowing smoke in her face or spilling beer on her new low-cut black silk top so those were definite pluses to start the night.

This definitely was
different
from Sterling and their country-club friends. The mixed tobacco and beer odor was nothing a good shower couldn’t get out of her skin so for one night she decided to let curiosity get the better of her misgivings.

Reid guided Kate toward the back of the bar. He paused and looked around, no doubt hoping to see his friends. Kate glimpsed a young woman standing and waving to him from the table near the patio entrance.

Reid’s relief was visible in his broad smile. “Great. Liz has a table for us.”

He propelled Kate toward the tall slim girl who bore little resemblance to the woman that she’d imagined. Taller than Kate by a good two inches, the real Liz Presley was a smooth, exotic creature. She had mahogany hair that she wore up-swept; narrow tawny eyes and a startlingly pale face slashed by a sensuous scarlet mouth. Her eccentric gold satin top accentuated her striking coloring ... and more ample, revealing cleavage.

“Hi, Reid.” She greeted him with an exuberant hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

Reid laughed. “Liz Presley, this is my friend, Kate Winslow.”

“Adam Winslow’s daughter?” asked Liz, her eyes traveling over Kate in a way that made her feel awkward in the presence of a woman only a few years older but who already appeared to be sizing up her competition.

“Yes, pleased to meet you, Liz.” They sat down around the table. Kate glanced at the empty fourth chair. She immediately shot a look at Reid. “Will your other friend be here soon?”

Liz pursed her lips. “Ahh, sorry. Steve couldn’t make it. He’s working on a freelance assignment. The deadline is nine tomorrow morning.” She turned to Reid. “And we all know what that’s like.”

Reid nodded and smiled at Liz. Kate felt her jealousy pique which, after a few moments, she almost rejected as being absurd.
So much for not being a third wheel.
Thanks Liz.

Kate listened patiently as Reid and Liz talked about their latest assignments or the ones they hoped to land while the harassed looking waitress took their drink order. A pitcher of draft for Reid and Liz. Just to be different, Kate ordered a daiquiri.

Liz poured a glass for herself and Reid. She took a sip and turned to Kate. “So how do you think your meeting will go this year? Richard Hallman and your father aren’t reading from the same press releases these days. Why is that?”

“They’ve agreed to disagree for now but I’m sure they’ll reach a compromise. They always have before.” Kate congratulated herself on her cautious reply. Dad would have approved.

“But this time I hear it’s different.”

Reid gulped his beer and frowned. “Don’t try to interview her, Liz. She’s not into company politics, are you?”

Kate took two quick sips of her daiquiri.
Wow, they make them strong here. Better go easy
. “Just because I don’t sit on the board of directors doesn’t mean I don’t have any ideas on how to improve domestic operations.”

“Really?” Liz arched her carefully lined brow. “Then don’t keep us in suspense. We’d love to hear your
ideas
, wouldn’t we, Reid?” she asked in a teasing tone that did nothing to hide its condescension.

Reid finished his first glass of beer and poured himself another. “Yeah, I mean, sure. I just didn’t think you liked to get that involved.”

Kate gulped at her drink. Liz was being a little too pushy but this was the perfect opportunity to test her ideas before making a presentation to her father. She took a breath and collected her thoughts. “Well, for one thing. It’s cheaper to manufacture some goods right here in the states now. People don’t realize that wages are increasing in China and the cost of raw materials and oil is going through the roof because of skyrocketing transportation costs.”

Reid exchanged glances with Liz.

Liz whistled softly. “I’m impressed, Kate. I didn’t think they had a business program at . . . where was it you went? Sarah Lawrence?” Liz smiled at Reid and poured herself another glass of beer.

“Yes, and no, I mean I didn’t study business but I’ve been around business people and entrepreneurs all my life. Everything they do and talk about rubs off on you after a while.”

Reid nodded. “Makes perfect sense and that sounds similar to what your father might propose but I don’t think Richard Hallman would go for it at all.”

Kate didn’t realize that she was down to the last sip of her daiquiri until she raised the glass to her lips.

Then, as if by magic, the waitress appeared with a fresh one.

“Hope you don’t mind,” Liz said. “I paid Sylvia extra to keep on top of our drinks. It’s too busy to get their attention. Just say when you’ve had enough but don’t be shy. The drinks and food are on me.”

Maybe Kate had misjudged Liz. What a thoughtful thing to do. “Why, thanks Liz. That was very nice.”

Reid leaned closer to Kate. “So what do you think? Would something like that improve your father’s chances of staying on as president?”

Kate took a big sip of her drink. “Sure, I think so. After what happened with Wall Street and the banks people don’t trust businessmen like by father and Mr. Hallman anymore and that’s why they have to regain people’s trust and put American jobs first.”

Reid put his hand on Kate’s. “If your father was smart he’d take your advice. Right, Liz?”

Liz lit a cigarette and blew the smoke out the side of her mouth like a truck driver. “Absolutely.” She seemed to be analyzing Kate’s replies while Kate squirmed inwardly with uncertainty and the tipsy feeling that she’d better slow down on these deceptively strong daiquiris.

All they wanted to talk about was Hallman and Winslow. Kate was annoyed that Reid seemed to forget that he was supposed to be out with
her
and not Liz. Kate slid her empty glass to the side. “That’s it for me. I’ll just take it easy with a glass of beer if you don’t mind.”

Not until Sylvia appeared with a fresh pitched of beer and a clean glass did either Liz or Reid seem to remember that Kate was sitting at the same table. Only Reid apologized. “We didn’t mean to put you on the hot seat, Kate. I know I’ve been critical of the company but that’s my way of holding powerful business people to account . . . so the economic situation will improve for all of us.”

Liz leaned across the table and studied Kate with renewed interest. Kate could feel the cold malice of her eyes on her.

“Still, I’m a little puzzled,” Liz said, “you say you grew up around business people and you’re obviously smart but you haven’t actually taken a risk and tried something on your own. Do you plan to follow in daddy’s footsteps . . . or maybe that’s too much work and you’re waiting for the bigger, better deal to show up?”

Kate sighed, weary of doing shadow sparring with this intrusive woman. “Do you have any children, Liz?”

Liz jerked back in her chair. “Um? Wow, that’s a strange question.” She glanced at Reid. “Not sure what that has to do with anything but no, I don’t.”

“And I bet that’s not something you give much thought to . . . do you?”

Liz quickly poured herself another beer. “I see what they’ve done to my sister’s life so being their favorite aunt is just fine with me.” She raised the beer to her lips and spilled some on her gold satin top. “Damn it!”

Kate held back her smile but it was small satisfaction. Liz must be at least twenty-eight and beautiful in her fashion. Kate wondered, though, if she met Liz ten years from now, still single and childless, would she say the same thing?